IT was certainly an escape from the serious business of elections. But a few of the canine candidates were quite definitely barking!Nearly 110 dogs and their owners took part in the sixth Lowestoft College charity dog show, held at Oulton Broad on Saturday.

IT was certainly an escape from the serious business of elections. But a few of the canine candidates were quite definitely barking!

Nearly 110 dogs and their owners took part in the sixth Lowestoft College charity dog show, held at Oulton Broad on Saturday.

The four-legged friends competed in a range of zany events from 'show jumping' to egg-and-spoon and football dribbling races - where part of the challenge was to stop your pet grabbing the egg or ball.

And then there were the more competitive pedigree and fun classes, with many of the dogs looking as immaculately groomed as a party leader for a TV debate.

Organiser Rachel Bunn, an animal care lecturer at the college, described the event - on the Beccles Riding Club show field in Hall Lane, Camps Heath - as hilarious fun.

In contrast to the heated debates seen in the countdown to yesterday's polling, there were barely any scraps or growling all day.

Ms Bunn said: 'We had more than 100 people watching as well as those taking part. Competitors ranged in age from a little girl of 18 months to a pensioner nearly 80 years old.

'We had dogs of all shapes and sizes, from chihuahuas to great danes. For the jumping event we had to keep adjusting the height of the fences.'

She said animal care students had been involved in organising the event since Christmas, arranging the sponsorship and schedule as well as helping out on the day.

The show raised �750, to be split between three charities chosen by the students: Animals Asia which tackles animal cruelty, Dog Aid and the Animal Health Trust at Newmarket.

Results: Best in Show: bernese mountain dog bitch, Bernarks Super Elise (Elise), owned by Yvonne Clough, from High Wycombe. Fun class champion: M Guymer, with Tula.